| Sealing arrangement -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Sealing arrangementRelated Patent Categories: Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-deformed, Or Locked-threaded Fastener, Fastener Securing ElementSealing arrangement description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070128002, Sealing arrangement. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for sealing. [0002] In particular the invention relates to an arrangement for sealing an aperture formed in a wall for receiving a member. [0003] Frequently it is required to insert a device through the wall of another device to fulfil a function. For example, it is common for combustion chambers of gas turbine engines to be fitted with fuel ignition devices which are mounted such that they can extend through the wall of the combustor. In some gas turbine engines a spark ignition device extends from the outside of an engine casing, through a combustor annulus and an opening formed in a wall of the combustor to present the tip of the ignition device to the fuel-air mixture in the combustor. Air is passed along the combustor annulus to cool the combustor wall and for delivery through a plurality of dilution holes in combustor wall to aid combustion. The opening for the igniter is substantially larger than the barrel of the ignition device to allow for a small amount of misalignment during engine build and for relative movement between the igniter and the combustor during operation. Since air will pass through the igniter aperture and affect the spark kernel formed, thereby inhibiting ignition, it is advantageous to keep the opening in the combustor as small as possible, but this increases the likelihood of the edge of the aperture fretting on the side of the igniter, wearing both components and reducing their operational life. [0004] A solution to this problem is the provision of a sealing member, in the form of a grommet on the combustor wall, which spans the opening in the combustor wall and seals around the igniter. A passage through the sealing member has a diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the portion of the igniter passing through it to restrict air leakage through the passage. The grommet is loosely mounted to the combustor such that, while it is fixed to the combustor, small relative movements are possible to accommodate relative movement between the combustor and the igniter and build misalignment. However, the range of movement of the sealing member/grommet is limited such that the igniter is prevented from contacting the edge of the opening in the combustor, thereby preventing the igniter from fretting on the combustor wall. [0005] In such a configuration the sealing member/grommet may be excited by operational vibration of the combustor that will lead to the contact points on the sealing member/grommet and igniter fretting, hence resulting in premature rejection and/or failure of the igniter. [0006] Therefore a means for fitting an igniter or some such accessory through a combustor wall, which both seals air gaps and damps vibration, is highly desirable. [0007] According to the present invention there is provided an arrangement for sealing an opening formed in a wall for receiving a member, the arrangement comprising a sealing member with a passage, whereby the sealing member is moveably mounted on the wall adjacent to the opening such that the sealing member passage is substantially co-axial with the opening in the wall, and biasing means for biasing the sealing member towards the wall. [0008] The invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing a means for sealing around a component entered in a wall of another component which will also damp vibration induced by the operation of one or other or both components, thereby increasing the operational life of both the components. [0009] Preferably the biasing means comprises at least one resilient member. That is to say, the means for biasing the sealing member towards the wall is a spring or the like. [0010] Preferably the sealing member comprises a flange which is engaged by the biasing means. That is to say, the sealing member is provided with a surface formation such that the biasing means can maintain contact with the sealing member thus enabling it to bias the sealing member towards and against the wall. [0011] Preferably the biasing means extends across and/or around at least part of the sealing member. That is to say, the biasing means is in contact with at least some of the sealing member, thus enabling is to exert force on the sealing member to bias it towards and against the wall. [0012] Preferably the biasing means substantially conforms to at least part of the shape of the sealing member. Small clearances between features of the biasing means and sealing member provides a means of self alignment during assembly and location in operation. [0013] Preferably the sealing member is mounted on the wall by at least one pin which extends through a corresponding mounting aperture in the sealing member, the mounting aperture having a diameter larger than the diameter of the at least one pin such that the sealing member is moveable relative to the wall. Hence misalignments between external mounting of the member to be installed and the wall to which the sealing member is mounted can be accommodated as the sealing member can move slightly to accept the member in its passage. [0014] Preferably the arrangement further comprises at least one bracket attached to the wall which extends over at least part of the biasing means, thereby trapping the biasing means between the at least one bracket and the flange. The bracket provides a surface for the resilient member to react against such that the resilient member can bias the sealing member towards and against the wall. [0015] The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0016] FIG. 1 shows a combustion section of a gas turbine engine comprising an arrangement according to the present invention at location "A"; [0017] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an arrangement according to the present invention identified at location "A" in FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the arrangement as shown in FIG. 2; and [0019] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the arrangement as indicated by section B-B in FIG. 2. [0020] FIG. 1 shows a section of a gas turbine engine, the general structure of which is well known and will not be described in detail since it is not central to the understanding of the invention. The section shown in FIG. 1 is a combustion section 10. The combustion section 10 comprises an annular combustor inner casing 12 surrounded by an annular combustor 14, which is in turn surrounded by an annular combustor outer casing 16. An engine casing 18 is disposed around the outer casing 16. A fuel injector 20 is mounted on the outer casing 16 and is positioned at an inlet 22 at the head of the combustor 14. A spark ignition device 24 is mounted on the engine casing 18, and passes through the engine casing 18 and outer casing 16 and an opening 30 formed in a wall 15 of the combustor 14. A sealing arrangement 38 according to the present invention is provided on the external wall 15 of the combustor 14 about the opening 30. [0021] With reference to FIG. 2, in which is presented a plan view of the sealing arrangement 38, FIG. 3, which shows a side view of the present invention, and FIG. 4, which shows a cross-section as viewed from A-A in FIG. 2, the sealing arrangement 38 comprises a sealing member 40 which is provided with a through passage 42. The sealing member 40 is mounted on the combustor wall 15 adjacent to the opening 30 in the combustor wall 15 such that the passage 42 is substantially co-axial with the opening 30. [0022] The sealing member 40 comprises a frustoconical grommet portion 46, for receiving the spark ignition device 24. The grommet is provided with a flange 48 which is shaped to conform substantially to the shape of region of the combustor wall 15 with which comes into contact. [0023] The sealing member 40 is mounted on the combustor wall 15 with pins 50 which pass through holes/mounting apertures 52 in the flange 48 into the combustor wall 15. In the embodiment shown the mounting apertures 52 are provided as cut outs (that is to say the aperture is open on one side) but could equally be provided as an enclosed hole. Biasing means 54 in the form of a resilient member 56 extends across the top (ie the radially outer edge) of the flange 48, and engages with the sealing member 40. As can be seen most clearly from FIG. 2, the resilient member 56 comprises a first portion 60 which runs along one side of the sealing member 40 and has a lobe 62 which extends from the first portion 60 towards the grommet portion 46 and engages with the radially outer surface of the flange 48. The resilient member 56 also has a second portion 64 which extends around a part of the outer circumference of the grommet portion 46 whilst engaging the flange 48. The first and second portions 60,64 are disposed on opposite sides of the grommet 46 and are joined by cross members 66. [0024] Brackets 80 are welded to the combustor wall at locations adjacent to the sealing member 40 and extend over the flange 48 and resilient member 56. In FIG. 2 only one of the brackets 80 is shown in its entirety, the other being "cutaway" such that details of the resilient member 56 and flange 48 can be seen. The pins 50 are passed through holes/mounting apertures 82 in the brackets 80, the flange cut outs 52, and into the combustor wall 15. The resilient member 56 is trapped between the bracket 80 and the flange 48, thereby preventing the resilient member 56 from coming loose. The flange cut outs 52 are sized such that there is a clearance between the pins 50 and the flange 52, hence allowing a degree of movement relative to the combustor wall 15. The holes 82 in the bracket 80 and the holes in the combustor wall for receiving the pins 50 have an interference fit with the pins 50. Additionally the pins may be welded to the bracket 80. Continue reading about Sealing arrangement... Full patent description for Sealing arrangement Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sealing arrangement patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sealing arrangement or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Screw with two types of threads Next Patent Application: Combination of a nut and a washer Industry Class: Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-threaded fastener ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sealing arrangement patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.23982 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
